ThunderBay
So, saw the new ThunderCats… I’m going to be heretical now and say that it’s like a Michael Bay flick.
First half of the 2 episode premiere didn’t have much going on, then the second part came along and suddenly it seemed as if Michael Bay was editing it. Characters appeared out of nowhere and time & geography was inconsequential.
Also, in keeping with the Michael Bay-ness, the main female, Cheetara, had a rather exceptional pair of cheetaras. I mean, we all saw the promo pics and there was that 9 minute preview, but daaayumn, her cleavage alone’s like, 8 inches? More Michael Bayness, WilyKit and WilyKat are sort of like the unimportant side characters in the Transformers movies that take up half the movie? Although to be fair, Kit and Kat are future main characters.
All that said, it was still pretty good. I’m comparing it to Bay in how it was edited (which to be fair, it’s limited by only having 2 half hour blocks, not 2 and a half hours like the TF movies), but it’s far superior in terms of having a coherent story.
Like I said, not much happens in the first half. But where “stuff” don’t happen, we’re treated to some pretty fantastic world building. In terms of architecture and culture, the Thunderans are quite a mish mash. With Chinese, Middle Eastern and Dragon Queston aesthetics. It’s all terribly pretty, yet nicely drab.
The best part, the BEST part are the people. It’s established that the Thunderans are a backwards people who don’t believe in technology, also, they’re immensely racist. When Lion-O suggested that they don’t torment and lynch a pair of lizards, he’s treated like some freak. Heck, they think he’s some crazy retard for believing in technology.
It’s done to the point that when Thundera falls (it’s not a spoiler because come on, like you seriously didn’t see it coming?), you’re actually HAPPY for it. When the Lizards/Mutants start cheering in victory, you get the feel that they’ve just overthrown a bunch of evil oppressors (because that’s exactly what happened).
Also, Tygra is so gonna go Loki on Lion-O.
So yeah, go watch it. At least the animation’s way better than the new Voltron.
Oh,I forgot to mention. At one point, Grune strips and gets dressed right in front of everybody, in the middle of battle. I… have no idea why this is significant. It just is (just like in Bay movies). Although it’s possible that everyone was simply stunned by the whole public nudity thing.
Studio 4°C made “Transformers The Animation” so it’s comparison to Michael Bay is rather.. apt. But some interesting stuff to note is that Larry Kenney the original voice of Lion-O was the king and the new voice is Will Friedle of Boy Meets World, Batman Beyond fame.
The story feels more like it will do a dungeon and dragons quest for the sword to slay the dragon, so it can stop toying with you and making your life a living hell type deal.
They are SO puntable. Not as puntable as penguin Chiyo, but close.
DUH!
I chose that as the topic pic PRECISELY because I knew you’d want to punt ’em.